End of a species with death of Galapagos tortoise Lonesome George

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Lonesome George, a giant tortoise thought to have been the last of his kind —
and who, at about 100 years old, should have been in the prime of life — has
been found dead in the Galápagos islands.

George was the last known Pinta Island giant tortoise and his death is
believed to mark the extinction of his subspecies.

While alive he was recognised as “the rarest creature on Earth” by Guinness
World Records. It seems unlikely, however, that he was ever especially
lonesome, becoming something of a celebrity in recent decades. He drew
thousands of visitors to his pen each

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Lonesome George was thought to be more than 100 years old and weighed 250kg

June 26 2012 Rodrigo Buendia/AFP

Lonesome George was thought to be more than 100 years old and weighed 250kg

June 26 2012 Rodrigo Buendia/AFP

He was discovered in Galapagos in 1972 at a time when tortoises of his type were believed to be extinct